Blog - hoof health

In a shod horse, Keratex
Hoof Hardener benefits to the hoof wall can reduce the issues that arise
from cracked, brittle hooves, and make your farriers’ job easier. If your horse
has a tendency to throw shoes, it could be symptomatic of issues within the
hoof wall. The cross-strengthening action of Keratex Hoof Hardener makes the
wall denser, giving more purchase to nails and a capable structure for their insertion,
keeping the shoe secure. Applying Hoof Hardener around old nail holes and chips
will assist the healing process. For your own peace of mind, Hoof Hardener will
also help with horses that are very sensitive in the sole after trimming.

Keratex Hoof Hardener is used in
the treatment of brittle, weak or cracked hooves, sensitive soles and is
especially useful if you wish to transition your horse from shod to barefoot. In
cases of sole sensitivity, existing cracks and brittleness, it is indicated to
apply Keratex Hoof Hardener to the lower half of a clean, dry hoof and sole, avoiding
the coronary band and frog. Use daily for an initial period of one to two weeks
with the applicator brush supplied. Following this stabilisationperiod, application of one to two times
per week is recommended for maintenance. Keratex Hoof Hardener has been proven
safe for long-term use in a sound horse, with one 250ml bottle lasting about
three months.

Keratex Hoof Hardener contains a
uniquely patented mixture of aldehydes – namely a small amount of formaldehyde,
a substance occurring naturally in all of our bodies and involved in DNA
synthesis – combined with other ingredients designed to promote strength and
flexibility in the horses hoof. Hoof Hardener works by strengthening
cross-linking fibrous bonds of the keratin proteins, which comprise most of the
structure of the hoof wall, and reinforcing the natural sulphur links that
support a healthy horn. There is no evidence of brittleness with long-term use
as part of your overall hoof-care regime.

When transitioning your horse to
barefoot, Keratex Hoof Hardener is recommended used daily for one to two weeks,
then reduce to one to two times weekly. If your horse remains “footy”, best
advice is to examine other aspects of barefoot hoof-care, including good
trimming, correct moisture and bacterial levels in the hoof, diet and work-type.
In particularly wet weather couple with Keratex Hoof Gel, which provides a
waterproof protective layer to keep out water and prevent issues that arise
from too much moisture in the hoof, such as softness and splits.

The wet-dry weather cycle is
cited as a major cause of foot issues in horses. That is, the hoof being unable
to keep up with rapid changes from wet to dry ground in New Zealand’s
changeable climate. The hoof needs time to acclimatize, expanding and
contracting to suit the ground conditions. Keeping this in mind, the Keratex
Hoof Hardener formula allows for elasticity in strength, helping the hoof to
remain stable throughout the seasons.

Many horse owners praise Keratex
Hoof Hardener as the final piece in the puzzle of cultivating hard and healthy
hooves in their horses, no matter the age of the horse nor its job. We
all know that horse’s feet are their most essential – quite possibly most
delicate - feature and that correct hoof care requires some trial and error on
a horse-by-horse basis. A quality Hoof Hardener such as Keratex provides
support to the hoof structure while maintaining the suppleness the hoof
requires for healthy movement and function, giving you the best possible base
to begin from.